Device for use with a bed

ABSTRACT

DEVICE FOR USE WITH A BED INCLUDING A HEAD SUPPORT PLATFORM ON A FIRST PAIR OF BRACKETS ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTED ON A FIRST OF VERTICAL POSTS AND AN ELBOW SUPPORT PLATFORM ON A SECOND PAIR OF BRACKETS ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTED BY THE FIRST PAIR OF VERTICAL POSTS AND A SECOND PAIR OF VERTICAL POSTS WHICH ARE ADJUSTABLY SECURED TO ONE END OF A BED FRAME. THE HEAD SUPPORT PLATFORM HAS AN UPPER SURFACE AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME LEVEL AS THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE MATTRESS AND HAS AN EDGE SPACED FROM ONE END OF THE MATTRESS TO ALLOW A PERSON&#39;&#39;S ARMS TO EXTEND DOWNWARDLY AND TO ALLOW HIS ELBOWS TO REST ON THE ELBOW SUPPORT PLATFORM.

' Sept. 4.'28, 1971 w. s. sElD E 3,608,103V

DEVICE EoR USE WITH A BED Filed Aug. 2, 1968 INVENTOR WAN SUN SEID ATT'YS United States Patent Oihce 3,608,103 Patented Sept. 28, 1971 U.S. Cl. -72 9 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE Device for use with a bed including a head support platform on a first pair of brackets adjustably supported on a first pair of vertical posts and an elbow support platform on a second pair of brackets adjustably supported by the irst pair of vertical posts and a second pair of vertical posts which are adjustably secured to one end of a bed frame. The head support platform has an upper surface at approximately the same level as the upper surface of the mattress and has an edge spaced from one end of the mattress to allow a persons arms to extend downwardly and to allow his elbows to rest on the elbow support platform.

This invention relates to a device for use with a bed and was evolved with the general object of providing a device which greatly increases comfort and promotes sound restful sleep without strains on the body, and which is adjustable according to the configuration of a persons body and according to his individual desires.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which is simple and inexpensive in construction while being strong and durable and which can be readily attached to an existing bed.

According to this invention, a device is provided which comprises a head support shelf or platform which is supported with its upper surface in a horizontal plane approximately at the same level as the upper surface of a mattress and with a spacing between one edge of the head support platform and an end of the mattress sufficient to allow a persons arms to extend below the horizontal plane. The concept of allowing ones arms to extend below the level of a mattress and a head support may seem strange because practically everyone is accustomed to lying upon the relatively flat surface of a mattress or the like with a pillow supporting his head. If thought is` given to the question of whether the conventional way of sleeping is the most desirable, however, it can be observed that except possibly when a person is sleeping on his back or on his stomach with his arms along his sides or outstretched, the use of a relatively flat surface for support necessarily produces a tendency toward cramping of the arms and in the shoulder and neck regions and a distortion of the body. With a head support platform supported in accordance with this invention, a person can lie on his stomach or on his side or partially on his stomach and partially on his side and there is room for his arms to extend downwardly so that the spine can assume a relatively straight line position, from the head down to the pelvic region. In addition, since the person does not need to rest upon his arms, there is no cramping of the muscles of the arms and shoulders, the blood can circulate more freely and a sound restful sleep can be obtained without any undesirable after effects.

According to an important feature of the invention, an elbow support shelf or platform is supported in spaced relation below the head support platform and in vertical alignment with the space between the one edge of the head support platform and the one end of the mattress so as to provide a surface upon which the person may rest his elbows.

Another important feature is in the provision of means for adjusting the positions of the head support and elbow support platforms, according to the configuration of a persons body and his individual desires. Normally, it is desirable that the elbow support platform be positioned.

just high enough to allow the elbows to rest comfortably thereon. If the elbow support platform is too high, undue weight will be carried by the elbows, resulting in muscular strains and discomforts.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of a back board extending upwardly from the edge of the head support platform opposite the edge which is spaced from the bed mattress.

Additional features of the invention relate to the provision of a framework and brackets for supporting the head support and elbow support platforms and the back board, allowing adjustability and allowing the device to be readily secured xedly to the bed frame.

This invention contemplates other objects, features and advantages which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and attached to a conventional bed;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along line IV-IV of FIG. l; and

FIG. 5 is a view showing how a head support platform may be tilted.

Reference numeral 10y generally designates a device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention which is shown connected to a bed 12 of the Hollywood type including a mattress 13 supported on box springs 14 supported in turn on a frame 15 which is supported by legs 16|.

The device 10 comprises a head support shelf or platform 17 which is supported with the upper surface thereof in a generally horizontal plane at approximately the same level as the upper surface of the mattress 13, the platform 17 having an edge 1'8 which is spaced from an end V19 of the mattress 13. The spacing between the edge 18 and the mattress end 19 is suicient to allow a persons arms to extend below the level of the mattress and the head support platform 17 while his body is resting on the mattress 13` and while his head is supported on the platform 17. If desired, a pillow 20 may be disposed on the head support platform 17 to provide a soft support for the persons head. The position which may be assumed by the persons body is indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

An important feature of the invention is in the provision of an elbow support platform 21 which is supported below the head support platform 17 and in alignment with the space between the edge 18 and the end 19' of the mattress. Platform 21 is desirably positioned at a level which allows the elbows to rest comfortably thereon without bearing undue weight and without creating any cramping of the muscles of the arms or shoulders.

The head support platform 17 may simply be in the form of a solid board but preferably as shown in FIG. 4 may comprise a board 23 of wood or the equivalent with a top cover 24 of a suitable fabric, leather or plastic material and with a layer of resilient material 25 between the cover 24 and the top surface of the board 23. The elbow support platform 21 may have a similar construction.

Another feature of the invention is in the provision of a back board 26 extending upwardly from the rear edge of the head support platform 17. This prevents the pillow 20 from falling to the rear, provides a better ornamental appearance and also structurally reinforces the framework of the device as is clarified hereinafter.

The head support platform 17 is supported on a pair of brackets 27 and 28 formed from angle iron or the like with horizontal legs of the brackets 27 and 28 being secured by screws 29 to the platform 17. Vertical portions of the brackets 27 and 28 are secured by bolts 39 to a pair of upright posts 31 and 32 which are preferably also formed from angle iron or the like and which are secured by screws 33 to the back board 26, to thus provide reinforcement for the structure.

The elbow support platform 21 is supported on and secured by screws 34 to a pair of brackets 35 and 36 which also are preferably in the form of angle iron members or the like. The rearward ends of the brackets 35 and 36 are secured by bolts 37 to the posts 31 and 32 while the forward ends of the brackets 35 and 36 are secured by bolts 38 to a second pair of upright posts 39 and 40. Preferably, suitable pads or bumbers 41 may be secured to the lower ends of the posts 31, 32, 39 and 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the post 39 is secured by bolts 42 to the frame of the bed so that the position of the device 10 is iixed relative to the bed. It will be appreciated that other forms of attaching means may be used as required by the form of the particular bed to which the device is to be attached or as desired. It should be noted that the post 40 is also secured to the bed frame 15 by bolts similar to the bolts 42.

An important feature is in the provision for adjustability according to the configuration of a persons body or according to his individual desires. The vertical posts 31 and 32 are provided with a series of pairs of openings at regular spacings such as one inch spacin-gs, although one-half inch or smaller spacings may be used to permit iiner adjustment. Similarly, the vertical posts 39 and 40 are provided with a series of pairs of openings at equal spacings and the same is true of the brackets 27 and 28 and the brackets 35 and 36. Also, each of the brackets 39 and 40 may be provided with a series of holes as shown to accommodate the device to beds having frames at different levels. Thus by removing the bolts 30 and reinserting them in different holes, the head support platform 17 may be raised or lowered and the space between the edge 18 and the bed end 19 may be increased or decreased. Likewise, the bolts 37 and 38 may be removed and reinserted in different holes to raise or lower the elbow support platform 21 or to move it rearwardly or forwardly relative to the bed. As shown in FIG. 5, the head support platform 17 may be tilted if desired by using an elongated screw 29 with a nut 29a thereon to engage the upper side of the bracket 27, a similar screw and nut being provided on the bracket 28.

It should also be noted that if desired, the brackets 35 and 36 could be directly bolted to the bed frame 15 and the vertical posts 39 and 40 may be eliminated if the bed frame has the appropriate position.

It is further noted that various changes in assembly may be made. For example, the brackets 27, 28, 35 and 36 may be installed on the inside of the posts 31 and 32 rather than on the outside, as is shown. Angle braces or the like may be added to obtain additional support.

It will be understood that other modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for use with a bed including a frame and a mattress supported from said frame, a head support platform, and means for supporting said head support platform with the upper surface thereof in a generally horizontal plane at approximately the same level as the upper surface of said mattress and with a spacing between one edge of said platform and an end of said mattress sufficient to allow a persons arms to extend below said horizontal plane, an elbow support platform, and means supporting said elbow support platform with the upper surface thereof in spaced relation below said horizontal plane and in vertical alignment with the space between said one edge of said head support platform and said one end of said mattress.

2. In a device as defined in claim 1, said supporting means for said head and elbow support platforms including a framework adapted to be supported on the oor on which said bed frame is supported, and means for iixedly connecting said framework to said bed frame.

3. In a device as defined in claim 1, means for adjusting said spacing between said one edge of said platform and said end of said mattress.

4. In a device as defined in claim 2, said framework including a pair of support posts in a generally vertical plane in spaced relation from said one end of said mattress and having lower ends adapted to rest on said floor, and a pair of brackets extending from said vertical posts part way toward said one end of said bed for supporting said head support platform.

5. In a device as defined in claim 4, means for vertically adjusting the position of said brackets on said support posts.

6. In a device as detined in claim 4, a board supported between said posts and extending upwardly from the edge of said head support platform opposite said one edge thereof.

7. In a device as delined in claim 4, a second pair of brackets secured to said posts and supporting said elbow support platform with the upper surface thereof in spaced relation below said horizontal plane and in vertical alignment with the space between said one edge of said head support platform and said one end of said mattress.

8. In a device as dened in claim 7, a second pair of generally vertical posts connected to said second pair of brackets and having lower ends adapted to rest on said floor, and means for fixedly connecting said second pair of vertical posts to said bed frame.

9. In a device as dened in claim 8, means for adjusting the vertical position of said second pair of brackets relative to both of said pairs of posts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,499,013 6/ 1924 Gunther 5-66UX 3,235,529 3/1941 McCartney 5-66X FOREIGN PATENTS 359,837 3/1962 Switzerland 5-86 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

